William "Gene" Stroker, 96, of Vandalia, passed away at 8:18 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, at University Hospital in Columbia.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at Farber Christian Church. Preachers Dan Smith and Stan Henderson will officiate. Burial will be in the Vandalia Cemetery following the service.
Visitation celebrating Gene's life will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, at the Waters Funeral Home.
William "Gene" Stroker was born on June 2, 1925, in Vandalia, the son of Palmer and Julia (Brewster) Stroker.
He was united in marriage to Caroline M. Franke on April 5, 1949 in Vandalia. Caroline preceded him in death on May 6, 2010.
Gene was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Francis Stroker and Bob Stroker; and one sister, Barbara Farris.
He is survived by two daughters, Karol (Dale) Deehr of Mexico and Karen (Fred) Storck of Belton; three sisters, Alice Marie Terry of Vandalia, Julia (Gene) Taylor of Curryville and Carol Jane Allison of Irmo, S.C.; sister-in-law, Peggy Stroker of Vandalia; four grandchildren, Josh (Katie) Deehr, Jessica (Kylee) Cook, Danielle (Kyle) Champ and Christopher (Emily) Storck; nine great-grandchildren, Suzie, Theo, Matty and Lucy Deehr, Gunner and Gibson Champ and Abigail, Caroline and Eleanor Storck. He is also survived by a good friend, Val Galloway.
Gene graduated from Vandalia High School class of 1943. He was a member of the Farber Christian Church, Eastern Missouri Cowboy Church of Bowling Green and the Vandalia Supper Club. Gene was a farmer and drove a school bus for the Van-Far School District for over 30 years, which was his favorite job. His hobbies included playing pitch, gardening, crossword puzzles and woodworking, which he taught to the local F-H clubs.
Pallbearers are Josh Deehr, Christopher Storck, Kyle Champ, Kylee Cook, Mark Wise and Barry Fischer.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Missouri Cowboy Church of Bowling Green or the Vandalia Supper Club, in care of Waters Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family on Gene's memorial page at watersfuneral.com.
